COIMBATORE: Amidst growing criticism over the inordinate delay in completing gauge conversion works in the Podanur-Pollachi stretch of Coimbatore-Dindigul route due to meager funds, southern railways clarified it was not paucity of funds but state government’s delay in completing the land acquisition process that has slowed the project down. In a pre-budget consultation with Parliament members, southern railway general manager A K Mittal said the works are pending only on a six km stretch near Kinnathukadavu due to land acquisition delays. With the railway budget just three months away, land acquisition hurdles are likely to eclipse further fund allocation for gauge conversion works. According to district authorities, resolutions regarding land